China in 1908 was a stormy period of late imperial rule. On November 14, the 37-year-old Guangxu Emperor died, and then on November 15, the Empress Dowager Cixi also completed her magnificent life. The death of Empress Dowager Cixi, a woman who almost represented the supreme imperial power in the late Qing Dynasty, not only marked the end of an era, but also heralded the rapid decline of the Qing imperial system. In her final instructions on her deathbed, she forbade women from interfering in court politics, a phrase that undoubtedly had a long-term impact on the subsequent political landscape. Her death and funeral were full of royal luxury and folk mourning, and also reflected the complex social psychology of that era.
In the Forbidden City of Beijing, the winter of 1908 was particularly cold, but even colder than the weather was the atmosphere of the imperial court. The death of Emperor Guangxu was like a cold wind, which shrouded the entire imperial city in a haze. And immediately afterwards, the death of the Empress Dowager Cixi was like a hammer hitting the fragile heart of the Qing Empire.
On her deathbed, the Empress Dowager Cixi faced south, which was the last respect for a king. Her death, according to Chinese tradition, meant the end of an era. Her mouth was not completely closed, as if she was silently telling her reluctance to this world. The doctors and palace ladies who witnessed this scene wept in a low voice, not daring to speak falsely.
Li Lianying, the eunuch under Cixi who leaned towards the government and the opposition, was in an extremely complicated mood at this time. He personally presided over Cixi's funeral, from choosing a coffin to arranging a funeral, every little thing was perfect, trying to express his loyalty and sorrow to the Empress Dowager Cixi in this way.
"Everything must be done according to the will of the Queen Mother. Li Lianying whispered in front of the statue of Cixi, with undried tears in his eyes.
The coffin is made of the finest mahogany, lined with gold filigree and countless precious stones, and every detail reveals the royal splendor and sorrow. Cixi's posthumous events almost became a grand ceremony to show the luxury and power of the last years of the Qing Dynasty.
The funeral procession departed from the capital, and the destination was Tangling, which was hundreds of miles away from the capital. It was a multi-day journey, with the people kneeling and the high-ranking officials bowing their heads. Regent Zaifeng led the procession, his face full of seriousness and sadness.
"Ahead of Chongwen Gate, ready to stop. Zaifeng whispered to the guards beside him.
Just as the procession slowly passed through the Chongwen Gate, a gloomy wind suddenly blew in the sky, and for a while, the paper-tied figures and horses seemed to come to life and swayed. In folklore, this is seen as a "yin man" phenomenon, symbolizing the intervention of mystical forces. The sight made the people along the way mourn even more, and they were discussing in low voices, wondering whether they were saddened by the death of the Empress Dowager Cixi or worried about the future.
Dongling is the mausoleum of the Qing Dynasty emperor and the end of Cixi's trip. Here, Cixi's coffin was placed in a special underground palace prepared for her, surrounded by treasures that she loved during her lifetime. The coffin was filled with gold and silver, jewels and precious stones, and the light reflected glittered in the light of the dungeon.
After nightfall, Li Lianying worshiped alone in front of the underground palace, and he whispered: "Queen Mother, everything is settled, I hope your spirit in the sky can rest in peace." ”
As Li Lianying did not expect, this funeral was only the first time that Cixi was buried. Twenty years later, Tanglin was stolen and Cixi's coffin was reopened. The tomb robbers were surprised to find that despite the passage of time, Cixi's body was still not decomposed, and white hairs even grew in her hair. This mysterious phenomenon once again shocked the world and added a bit of mystery to the legend of Cixi.
Eventually, Cixi's body was buried a second time. In the new mausoleum, her coffin was sealed more tightly to prevent future disturbances. And this time, without the ornate ceremonies of the past, everything seems more low-key and heavy.
The life of the Empress Dowager Cixi was full of power struggles and personal joys and sorrows. Her death and funeral are not only the end of an era, but also a microcosm of the society of that era. Through the story of Cixi, we can deeply feel the heaviness of history and the helplessness of individual fate. Cixi's final instructions and lavish funeral symbolize her last attachment to power and her fear of an uncertain future. The wheel of history rolls forward, and every detail is an indispensable part of moving forward. Here, we not only witness the changes of history, but also think about how to learn lessons and look forward to the future in the course of the future.